Featured Image Credit: Getty / BBC
Topics: Ian Wright, Arsenal, Match Of The Day, Premier League
Ryan Smart
Topics: Ian Wright, Arsenal, Match Of The Day, Premier League
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has revealed the real reason why he is leaving Match of the Day after 27 years.
Wright announced on Sunday morning that he was stepping back from the flagship BBC football show at the end of the season, having first appeared on it while still a player in 1997.
The 60-year-old became a regular pundit in 2002, and has remained in the role ever since.
Tributes to the popular pundit have flooded in from his co-workers and viewers, with the former Gunners and England striker still set to appear on live football action for BBC and elsewhere.
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Now, having indicated on Sunday that his recent birthday 'maybe fast tracked [the decision] a little', Wright has revealed the real reason why he is stepping away from Match of the Day.
He said: "I'm going to actually watch more football. I'm going to watch my granddaughter. I'm going to watch a lot more women's games. I'm going to watch a lot more Arsenal games, just to be there with fans.
"Go with my son and his missus, be amongst it, just to celebrate when we win or lose.
"It's been a bit of a realisation that I want to give quality time to them. So that's what I want. To watch games, spend time with people."
Current Match of the Day host Gary Lineker gave a similar reason behind his decision to step down from presenting Champions League coverage for BT Sport (now TNT Sports) in 2021.
After Leicester qualified for European football once again for the following season, the former Foxes striker declared that he wanted to follow the club on a European tour with his sons.
"I feel it's time to do things that I've always promised myself I'd do," he began, "Such as follow Leicester across Europe with my sons [how many opportunities will we have?]"
Brendan Rodgers' side were subsequently knocked out of the Europa League at the group stage, but did reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League. They were then relegated from the top flight last season.
Wright, meanwhile, will be hoping his beloved Arsenal can win their first Premier League title in 20 years to end his time on MOTD on the most positive of notes.